Excess Skin after Weight Loss

Gastric bypass surgery can perform miracles for those who are severely overweight, but it can cause some complications, and one of the most common is to have excess skin after weight loss that is very rapid. In such situations, patients tend to lose a lot of weight in a very short amount of time, which can cause significant amounts of sagging skin, because it cannot respond fast enough to the rapid decrease of tissue underneath. Excess skin after weight loss is most common in the arms, abdomen, and the buttocks, which can create unsightly rolls that are frustrating for those who have already lost the weight and want to see a change in their self image. However, there are several options to deal with loose skin, including skin removal surgery as well as non-surgical options. If you are dealing with excess skin after weight loss, make sure to carefully consider your options before jumping into action because you want to see rapid results. You’ve already come a long way, and it’s important to select a procedure that will help you achieve the look you’ve always wanted, and not hurt all the effort you’ve put into your transformation.

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Non-Surgical Options to Get Rid of Excess Skin after Weight Loss

While there are limited non-surgical options to get rid of excess skin after weight loss, there are several things you can do if you’re suffering from this issue. Over-the-counter skin firming lotions can help, as many of these lotions contain retinol, an ingredient that can boost collagen production and help tighten skin from beneath the surface. The effects of firming lotion will take some time to show, and it’s important that you keep your expectations realistic, especially if you use it on thicker sagging skin, such as the skin on the abdomen.

Another non-invasive way to tighten excess skin after weight loss is to tone your muscles. One of the reasons that skin sags after weight loss is that the fat that used to be underneath it is lost, leaving sagging skin. Toning your muscles and building up new muscle will replace the fat beneath the skin and help to keep it firm. It is important to work with your doctor when you start building muscle, as you will want to start out slowly with lifting small weights and doing other toning exercises. This will take time, but you will see results within several months and this natural way may be a safer option for losing excess skin after weight loss than surgery.

Surgical Options

If you have severe excess skin after weight loss that is affecting your ability to walk properly, exercise, or that is causing skin sores, your doctor may recommend skin removal surgery. During this procedure, you will be put under general anesthesia and the doctor will surgically remove the extra skin and then stitch the area where it was removed so that it no longer sags. This is a common surgery for gastric bypass patients who have an “apron” of excess skin after weight loss on their abdomen that muscle toning will not address.

Another option that you may consider to get rid of excess skin after weight loss is to undergo body sculpting. This kind of surgical procedure will lift sagging skin in the arms, breasts, and buttocks. This is a surgical procedure, and it is important that you are in good health and that your weight loss has stabilized. During body sculpting surgery, skin will be both repositioned and/or removed; depending on how much is present and the kind of result you want to achieve. In addition, the incisions that are necessary for this type of surgery may be quite long and not always easy to hide. If you do not want to deal with any type of scarring, this may not be your best option for getting rid of excess skin after weight loss.

8 replies
  1. Gina
    Gina says:

    I went on this rapid weight loss diet. And I couldn’t regret it more. It’s been such an emotionally wrecking experience, because I never wanted such a fast weight loss, with such consequences. I had many health issues, but when I recovered from them all, I was left with all the sagging skin. It’s not sagging, it’s basically hanging from my body. It’s horrible to look at. My husband doesn’t mind because he is a sweetheart and very supportive… I don’t want to resort to surgery, so I am looking for other options on how to tighten skin after weight loss? Exercise is so hard, and with my weak heart, I don’t think I will be able to handle it…Help people! Give me some advice!

    Reply
  2. Amanda
    Amanda says:

    I have started a coconut oil weight loss program and so far I have seen some great results. I am starting to see some sagging skin following my weight loss and am wondering if someone could tell me how to tighten loose skin after weight loss. Please dont say gym I am hoping for something a little easier and quicker.. I life a busy lifesytle. Thanks.

    Reply
  3. Irena
    Irena says:

    I am so happy with my health and looks right now. Thanks to surgery. I started with beginning to focus on nutrition and weight loss. It wasn’t an easy weight loss at all. It was the hardest period of my life. I struggled with nutrition and exercises; I struggled with my weight coming back… But when I survived it, I was left with loose skin on my legs and arms. Surprisingly, I didn’t have a lot of skin on the stomach, more on arms. It’s annoying. So, as I didn’t want to waste a lot of time on non-invasive procedures that could take a lot of time to deliver results, I went for body sculpting. It’s a surgical procedure that shapes and moulds your body and your faults just the way you want it to look like. These types of surgeries aren’t that good, because you have a huge incision after it, but the doctor that worked on me made sure that it wasn’t a big one, and hid it very well. I don’t plan on being a swimsuit model, so I am very happy with the results.

    Reply
  4. Helena
    Helena says:

    My journey losing weight started from an early age.. My genes were always worked against me. I tried many different weight loss diets, tried the many available weight loss pills and weight loss shakes.. I was set to find any possible way to lose weight. In time I would lose some weight but then I would gain it again and it was a constant battle. I become my own expert weight loss calculator and found myself doing calorie and weight calculations all day long.

    When enough was enough and I finally had courage I had a gastric bypass. After I had healed properly, I wondered how to tighten skin after weight loss. I was feeling okay, I was getting my life back together, but then the physical leftovers of my previous life were following me around 24/7. From all the rapid weight loss, I had lots of skin on my tummy and my arms… It just hangs there, with no muscles… It was a nightmare. I never thought I would be complaining about losing my weight but sagging skin after weight loss was horrible, just as bad as not have losing any weight.

    It has been now well over a year and now when look back at everything.. I am happy with the surgery alternatives. I think they are the best, because they are fast and you get the results that you want in the first take. The recovery can be painful, and it does take a lot to recover from it. It changed my life for the better though.. and after you’re done you don’t ever have to do it again. You can devote yourself to eating properly and exercising a lot.

    Reply
  5. Fit and Fast Girl
    Fit and Fast Girl says:

    All the excess skin after weight loss can be lost but in a more natural way. It’s not easy at all. It’s painful and frustrating, because exercise is not easy at all. Some people give it a go, and give up, but please, don’t give up. You have to work really hard.

    I know that there are some cases where you have lost such an amount of fat and weight that you can’t do it with exercise. If you were wondering how to lose excess skin after weight loss, that’s been hanging there after you’ve been exercising like a maniac, then surgery is probably the most viable option. Exercise can tighten and help your skin look healthier and be healthier, but if you have flaps of skin hanging from your forearms or thighs and stomach, then you are really a good candidate for surgery.

    Reply
  6. Marry J
    Marry J says:

    My sister has been so frustrated with the so-called great weight loss programs that people have been saying great things about. They don’t often stress what you are supposed to do after weight loss. With all the skin and fat that is left, and also what’s with the lack of muscles? They guide you through the process of losing weight but they don’t actually tell you how to deal with it later, and it’s a pretty big step. You won’t know how to get rid of loose skin after weight loss, because they’ll just refer you to someone else or the internet….

    This is one of the first instances I’ve actually found to state several options for people who have embarked this terribly difficult journey. And it’s good to know that there are options to choose from and that you are not only limited to one.

    Reply
  7. Mez
    Mez says:

    I can see that many people are wondering how to tighten skin after weight loss. I don’t know from personal experience, but my sister has always had weight issues, and I can totally relate to everyone and how they feel. She has been frustrated and unhappy with everything she has done so far. And I’m beginning to realize that the only option that really works and gives natural results is surgery. Unfortunately, it’s not cheap at all. And it is painful. They do cut your skin after all, and make incisions and stiches. I understand women completely, and I really admire everyone who chooses to go through it all.

    I knew that on these kind of sites there are many people who go through the same thing, so I came here with a specific purpose. I wanted to ask if there are any great weight loss foods that can help with your skin, and make it more healthy and tight. I’d really like to help my sister as much as I can, but I really need advice from someone who knows exactly what can help or not help at all!

    Reply
  8. Ramona
    Ramona says:

    People don’t know how much removing excess skin after weight loss can be hard! Especially skinny people who have never been through it! Even the surgeries and treatments can be so painful and take long to recover from. Obesity should be addressed more seriously and there should be more options for people dealing with it!

    Reply

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